Cooking apparatus

ABSTRACT

A cooking apparatus includes a base, a cover with a hot air system, an inner pot, an upper temperature sensor located in the lid, and a lower temperature sensor located in the base. A processor is configured to operate in one of multiple cooking modes, and for each of the cooking modes the processor is configured to measure an upper and a lower temperature using the upper and the lower temperature sensor, respectively; compare the upper and the lower temperature to an upper and a lower temperature sensor setting, respectively; when the upper temperature differs from the upper temperature sensor setting, adjust power to the hot air heating element such that the upper temperature approaches the upper temperature sensor setting; and when the lower temperature differs from the lower temperature sensor setting, adjust power to the heating plate such that the lower temperature approaches the lower temperature sensor setting.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of kitchenappliances, and more particularly to a cooking apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Currently there are air fryers or frying pans with a hot air system.They are usually equipped with a rotating stirrer to prevent food frombeing over-cooked or from sticking to the pan. At present, there aremainly two ways to drive the stirrer. One is to install a drive deviceon the pan's base and transmit the power to a stirring paddle through arotating shaft. However, such an arrangement may cause oil or water todrip to the drive device, which may result in damage to or reduced lifeof that device. The other is to place the drive device between the hotair system and the stirring paddle, and then to transmit rotationalpower to the stirring paddle through the rotating shaft. However, thisarrangement affects the hot air transmission of the hot air system,which further reduces the already limited ventilation area, thusprejudicing cooking efficiency and results. Additionally, inconventional air fryers or frying pans the stirring paddle is usuallypermanently mounted on the cooker or inner pot, so cleaning the stirringpaddle is difficult or inconvenient.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect, there is provided a cooking apparatuscomprising a base comprising a heating plate and an inner pot locatedover the heating plate; and a lid closable over the inner pot to form acooking chamber, wherein the lid comprises a hot air system configuredto direct hot air into the cooking chamber and a stirrer drive deviceconfigured to be attached to a stirrer.

The hot air system may comprise a hot air system motor, the stirrerdrive device may comprise a drive motor, and the hot air system motorand the drive motor may be laterally offset from each other within thelid.

The lid may comprise a cover portion and a handle portion positionedabove the cover portion, the stirrer drive device and the hot air systemmay span the cover and handle portions, and the hot air system motor andthe drive motor may both located in the handle portion.

The stirrer drive device may further comprise a drive gear rotatable bythe drive motor, and the apparatus may further comprise the stirrer. Thestirrer may comprise a gear assembly detachably coupled to an undersideof the lid; and a stirring paddle coupled to the gear assembly such thatrotation of the gear assembly by the drive motor causes the stirringpaddle to rotate.

The gear assembly may comprise a ring gear mated with the drive gear anda gear bracket spanning an interior of the ring gear.

The gear bracket may be positioned under the hot air system and comprisea cylindrical side that comprises ventilation holes for venting the hotair to the cooking chamber.

The ring gear may comprise teeth that mate with the drive gear and thatface away from an axis of rotation of the gear assembly.

The stirrer may further comprise a positioning rod extending through acenter of the gear assembly and into the lid; and a stop block at oneend of the positioning rod that retains the gear assembly to theunderside of the lid.

The positioning rod and the lid may be threaded to permit screwing andunscrewing of the positioning rod into and out of the lid.

The hot air system may comprise a propeller for propelling the hot air,and an axis of rotation of the propeller may be coaxial with an axis ofrotation of the gear assembly.

A gear assembly protrusion may extend from an underside of the gearassembly, a paddle protrusion may extends from a top side of thestirring paddle, and the protrusions may be positioned such thatrotation of the gear assembly causes the gear assembly protrusion tointerfere with the paddle protrusion and rotate the stirring paddle.

The inner pot may comprise a groove shaped to receive a bottom edge ofthe stirring paddle, and the bottom edge of the stirring paddle may sitin the groove during stirring.

A bottom of the stirring paddle may slide against the inner pot duringstirring, one of the stirring paddle and inner pot may comprise one of aprotrusion and a groove and the other of the stirring paddle and innerpot comprises the other of the protrusion and groove, and the protrusionmay fit into the groove during stirring.

The base may further comprise an outer pot in which the inner pot sits,and the heating plate may be between the inner and outer pots.

The hot air system may comprise a hot air heating element, and theapparatus may further comprise an upper temperature sensor located inthe lid; a lower temperature sensor located in the base; a processor,communicatively coupled to the temperature sensors; and a memory,communicatively coupled to the processor, storing computer program codethat is executable by the processor and that, when executed by theprocessor, causes the processor to operate in any one of multiplecooking modes, wherein for each of the cooking modes the computerprogram code causes the processor to perform a method comprisingmeasuring an upper and a lower temperature using the upper and the lowertemperature sensor, respectively; comparing the upper and the lowertemperature to an upper and a lower temperature sensor setting,respectively; when the upper temperature differs from the uppertemperature sensor setting, adjusting power to the hot air heatingelement such that the upper temperature approaches the upper temperaturesensor setting; and when the lower temperature differs from the lowertemperature sensor setting, adjusting power to the heating plate suchthat the lower temperature approaches the lower temperature sensorsetting.

The hot air system may comprise a hot air system motor, the stirrerdrive device may comprise a drive motor, and for at least one of thecooking modes the method may further comprise activating at least one ofthe motors.

The apparatus may further comprise a flip indicator, at least one of thecooking modes may be associated with a total cooking time, and themethod may further comprise, for each of at least some of the cookingmodes associated with the total cooking time, monitoring elapsed cookingtime during the cooking mode; comparing the elapsed cooking time to thetotal cooking time; and when the elapsed cooking time is at least athreshold percentage of the total cooking time, activating the flipindicator.

The apparatus may further comprise a lid open sensor configured todetect whether the lid is opened or closed, and the method may furthercomprise, for each of at least some of the cooking modes associated withthe total cooking time, deactivating the flip indicator in response tothe lid being opened.

The apparatus may further comprise a user interface communicativelycoupled to the processor, and the method may further comprise receiving,via the user interface, a numerically specified temperature for at leastone of the upper and lower temperature sensor settings.

The method may further comprise receiving a signal via the userinterface to pause cooking during one of the cooking modes, and thenumerically specified temperature may be received while cooking ispaused.

The apparatus may further comprise a user interface communicativelycoupled to the processor and the method may further comprises, when theapparatus is operating in one of the cooking modes, receiving, via theuser interface, within an extension window extending from an end of thecooking mode, an extension input indicating that the cooking mode is tobe extended; and in response to the extension input, extending thecooking mode by an extension duration without ending the cooking mode.

The stirrer may rotate in the cooking mode in which the apparatus isoperating when the extension input is received.

According to another aspect, there is provided a cooking apparatuscomprising a base comprising an inner pot; a lid closable over the innerpot to form a cooking chamber, wherein the lid comprises a hot airsystem configured to direct hot air into the cooking chamber and astirrer drive device; and a stirrer attached to the stirrer drivedevice, the stirrer comprising a gear assembly detachably coupled to anunderside of the lid; and a stirring paddle coupled to the gear assemblysuch that rotation of the gear assembly causes the stirring paddle torotate.

The hot air system may comprise a hot air system motor, the stirrerdrive device may comprise a drive motor, and the hot air system motorand the drive motor may be laterally offset from each other within thelid.

The lid may comprise a cover portion and a handle portion positionedabove the cover portion, the stirrer drive device and the hot air systemmay span the cover and handle portions, and the hot air system motor andthe drive motor may both be located in the handle portion.

The stirrer drive device may further comprise a drive gear rotatable bythe drive motor, and the gear assembly may comprise a ring gear matedwith the drive gear.

The gear assembly may further comprise a gear bracket spanning aninterior of the ring gear.

The gear bracket may be positioned under the hot air system and comprisea cylindrical side that comprises ventilation holes for venting the hotair to the cooking chamber.

The ring gear may comprise teeth that mate with the drive gear and thatface away from an axis of rotation of the gear assembly.

The stirrer may further comprise a positioning rod extending through acenter of the gear assembly and into the lid; and a stop block at oneend of the positioning rod that retains the gear assembly to theunderside of the lid.

The positioning rod and the lid may be threaded to permit screwing andunscrewing of the positioning rod into and out of the lid.

The hot air system may comprise a propeller for propelling the hot air,and an axis of rotation of the propeller may be coaxial with an axis ofrotation of the gear assembly.

A gear assembly protrusion may extend from an underside of the gearassembly, a paddle protrusion may extend from a top side of the stirringpaddle, and the protrusions may be positioned such that rotation of thegear assembly causes the gear assembly protrusion to interfere with thepaddle protrusion and rotate the stirring paddle.

The inner pot may comprise a groove shaped to receive a bottom edge ofthe stirring paddle, and the bottom edge of the stirring paddle may sitin the groove during stirring.

A bottom of the stirring paddle may slide against the inner pot duringstirring, one of the stirring paddle and inner pot may comprise one of aprotrusion and a groove and the other of the stirring paddle and innerpot may comprise the other of the protrusion and groove, and theprotrusion may fit into the groove during stirring.

The base may comprise a heating plate positioned under the inner pot.

The base may further comprise an outer pot in which the inner pot sits,and the heating plate may be between the inner and outer pots.

The base may comprise a heating plate under the inner pot, the hot airsystem may comprise a hot air heating element, and the apparatus mayfurther comprise an upper temperature sensor located in the lid; a lowertemperature sensor located in the base;

a processor, communicatively coupled to the temperature sensors; and amemory, communicatively coupled to the processor, storing computerprogram code that is executable by the processor and that, when executedby the processor, causes the processor to operate in any one of multiplecooking modes, wherein for each of the cooking modes the computerprogram code causes the processor to perform a method comprisingmeasuring an upper and a lower temperature using the upper and the lowertemperature sensor, respectively; comparing the upper and the lowertemperature to an upper and a lower temperature sensor setting,respectively; when the upper temperature differs from the uppertemperature sensor setting, adjusting power to the hot air heatingelement such that the upper temperature approaches the upper temperaturesensor setting; and when the lower temperature differs from the lowertemperature sensor setting, adjusting power to the heating plate suchthat the lower temperature approaches the lower temperature sensorsetting.

The hot air system may comprise a hot air system motor, the stirrerdrive device may comprise a drive motor, and for at least one of thecooking modes the method may further comprise activating at least one ofthe motors.

The apparatus may further comprise a flip indicator, at least one of thecooking modes may be associated with a total cooking time, and themethod may further comprise, for each of at least some of the cookingmodes associated with the total cooking time, monitoring elapsed cookingtime during the cooking mode; comparing the elapsed cooking time to thetotal cooking time; and when the elapsed cooking time is at least athreshold percentage of the total cooking time, activating the flipindicator.

The apparatus may further comprise a lid open sensor configured todetect whether the lid is opened or closed, and the method may furthercomprise, for each of at least some of the cooking modes associated withthe total cooking time, deactivating the flip indicator in response tothe lid being opened.

The apparatus may further comprise a user interface communicativelycoupled to the processor and the method may further comprise receiving,via the user interface, a numerically specified temperature for at leastone of the upper and lower temperature sensor settings.

The method may further comprise receiving a signal via the userinterface to pause cooking during one of the cooking modes, and thenumerically specified temperature may be received while cooking ispaused.

The apparatus may further comprise a user interface communicativelycoupled to the processor and the method may further comprises, when theapparatus is operating in one of the cooking modes, receiving, via theuser interface, within an extension window extending from an end of thecooking mode, an extension input indicating that the cooking mode is tobe extended; and in response to the extension input, extending thecooking mode by an extension duration without ending the cooking mode.

The stirrer may rotate in the cooking mode in which the apparatus isoperating when the extension input is received.

According to another aspect, there is provided a multifunctional fryingpan comprising a base, a lid with a hot air system, an inner pot, astirrer, and a stirrer drive device. The inner pot is detachably affixedor placed in the base. Once closed, the lid and the inner pot form acooking chamber with the stirrer placed inside. The stirrer drive deviceis mounted on the outside of the hot air system on top of the lid. Thestirrer drive device drives the stirrer and causes it to rotate. Placingthe stirrer drive device on the lid helps to prevent contamination of adrive motor, which comprises part of the stirrer drive device, by wateror oil during cleaning. Placing the stirrer drive device outside of thehot air system may effectively prevent hot air circulation from beingblocked or disrupted by the drive device, thus helping to ensure cookingefficiency and results. This design may make adapting to differentshapes of the lid and consequent changing locations of the drive motoreasier.

The stirrer may comprise a gear assembly, a stirring paddle, and apositioning rod. The gear assembly may comprise an annular ring gear anda gear bracket. The ring gear and the gear bracket can be a one-piecepart, or two separate pieces affixed together. The stirring paddle maybe detachable from the gear bracket. The gear bracket and stirringpaddle may be easily disassembled for easy cleaning. The positioning rodmay pass through the center of the gear bracket and be attached to thelid. The gear bracket may rotate around the positioning rod. Ventilationholes may be on the gear bracket. The stirrer drive device may comprisea drive gear, which drives the ring gear to rotate. The stirring paddleand gear bracket may be easily removed for cleaning.

Ventilation holes on the gear bracket can effectively allow the hot airfrom the hot air system being transmitted to the pan. The gear bracketmay rotate so that the ventilation holes keep moving, thus redirectingair flow more evenly and, in certain aspects in all directions, andpromoting and improving cooking efficiency and results.

The stirring paddle may be placed on the inner pot. After the lid isclosed, the gear bracket may drive the stirring paddle to rotate andstir. The rotating shaft of the stirring paddle may be coaxial with therotating shaft of the ring gear. The stirring paddle and gear bracket incertain aspects are not attached to each other. When the lid is open,the stirring paddle may be detached from the gear bracket, which makesit easier to remove and clean.

A round groove may be on the inner pot, and the groove may match aprotrusion at the bottom of the stirring paddle. This tongue-and-groovedesign helps to line up the stirring paddle precisely.

A round protrusion may be on the inner pot, and the groove may match thegroove at the bottom of the stirring paddle. This tongue-and-groovedesign may help to line up the stirring paddle precisely.

The protrusions may be cylindrical, conical, or truncated conicalprotrusions. The corresponding grooves may accordingly be cylindrical,conical, or truncated conical grooves.

The base may comprise a housing and an outer pot. The outer pot may beaffixed in the housing. The inner pot may be attached or simply placedin the outer pot. The outer pot may also play a role in insulation andsupporting the inner pot.

The multi-function frying pan may comprise a heating plate, which may befixed to the outer pot. The inner pot may be placed on top of theheating plate. Use of the heating plate may increase the heatingtemperature at the bottom of one or both of the pots.

According to another aspect, there is provided a cooking apparatuscomprising a base comprising an inner pot; a lid closable over the innerpot to form a cooking chamber; at least one of a heating plate and hotair heating element positioned to heat the cooking chamber; a flipindicator; a processor, communicatively coupled to the flip indicatorand the at least one of the heating plate and hot air heating element;and a memory, communicatively coupled to the processor, storing computerprogram code that is executable by the processor and that, when executedby the processor, causes the processor to operate in a cooking mode thatis associated with a total cooking time and to perform a methodcomprising monitoring elapsed cooking time during the cooking mode;comparing the elapsed cooking time to the total cooking time; and whenthe elapsed cooking time is at least a threshold percentage of the totalcooking time, activating the flip indicator.

This summary does not necessarily describe the entire scope of allaspects. Other aspects, features and advantages will be apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the followingdescription of specific embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one or more exampleembodiments:

FIG. 1 depicts an exploded view of a cooking apparatus, according to oneexample embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a lid, which comprises part of theapparatus of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a gear assembly that comprises part ofthe apparatus of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the lid of FIG. 2 , coupled to gearassembly of FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with itslid open;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the base of the apparatus of FIG.1 ;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the lid of the apparatus of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of a stirring paddle that comprises part ofthe apparatus of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 9 depicts an exploded view of a cooking apparatus, according toanother example embodiment;

FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of a cooking apparatus, according toanother example embodiment;

FIG. 11 depicts a user interface comprising part of the apparatus ofFIG. 10 ; and

FIG. 12 depicts a control system comprising part of the apparatus FIG.10 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

At least some example embodiments described herein are directed at acooking apparatus that can effectively protect an electrical motor andprevent it from being damaged by liquids, such as oil, during one orboth of pan use and cleaning. In at least some example embodiments theapparatus may act as a multi-purpose frying pan; i.e., it may be able tocook food in any one or more of multiple cooking modes, of which atleast one fries the food being cooked. In at least some exampleembodiments, the apparatus comprises a heat plate in its base so thatfood being cooked in the apparatus can be heated by one or both ofconvection (by hot air circulated by a hot air system that comprises theelectrical motor) and conduction (by the heat plate). Additionally oralternatively, in at least some example embodiments a gear assemblyattached to an underside of the apparatus's lid and used to rotate astirrer is removable from the lid, thereby facilitating cleaning of thegear assembly and the hot air system.

As shown in FIGS. 1-8 , in at least one example embodiment a cookingapparatus 100 comprises a base 1, a lid 3 with a hot air system 2, aninner pot 4, a stirrer 5, and a stirrer drive device 6. The inner pot 4is attached to or placed in the base 1. When the lid 3 is closed, itforms a cooking chamber with the inner pot 4. The stirrer 5 is locatedinside the chamber. The stirrer drive device 6 is mounted on the lid 3and on the outside of the hot air system 2. The stirrer drive device 6drives the stirrer 5 to rotate.

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the apparatus 100. The inner pot 4 sitson the base 1, and a stirring paddle 52 that comprises part of thestirrer 5 sits on the inner pot 4. The lid 3 comprises a handle portion12 and a cover portion 10, with the handle portion 12 attached to a topside of the cover portion 10. Within the handle portion 12 resides a hotair system motor 16 (depicted in FIGS. 2 and 4 ) and a drive motor 14(also depicted in FIGS. 2 and 4 ), which comprises part of the stirrerdrive device 6. The cover portion 10 delineates a top of the cookingchamber when the lid 3 is closed over the inner pot 4. Attached to anunderside of the cover portion 10 is a gear assembly 51, which comprisespart of the stirrer 5 and which is rotatably driven by the stirrer drivedevice 6. Gear assembly protrusions 32 (shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 ) on anunderside of the gear assembly 51 are rotated against analogous paddleprotrusions 30 located on a top side of the stirring paddle 52, therebyrotating the paddle 52.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4 , there are shown a sectional view of the lid3 when the lid 3 is not coupled to the gear assembly 51, a perspectiveview of the gear assembly 51 itself, and a sectional view of the lid 3when it is coupled to the gear assembly 51, respectively.

FIG. 2 shows the handle portion 12 attached to and positioned over thecover portion 10. A hot air system motor 16 that comprises part of thehot air system 2 and a drive motor 14 that comprises part of the stirrerdrive device 6 are both positioned within the handle portion 12. Thecover portion 10 is rotationally symmetric about a rotational axis. Thehot air system motor 16 comprises an output shaft 38 that is coaxialwith the rotational axis. The motor's 16 output shaft 38 is attached toand consequently rotates a propeller 18, which propels hot air throughthe cooking chamber when the lid 3 is closed and the hot air system 2 ison. The propeller's 18 axis of rotation is coaxial with the output shaft38, and the propeller 18 is contained within a ventilated air systemhousing 20. At the bottom of the housing 20 and coaxial with therotational axis is an aperture 34 for receiving a shaft 531 of apositioning rod 53, as discussed further below.

The drive motor 14 of the stirrer drive device 6 is positioned withinthe handle portion 12 and is laterally offset from the hot air systemmotor 16. The drive motor 14 comprises an output shaft 40; due to thecurvature of the handle portion 12 and as the drive motor 14 islaterally offset from the hot air system motor 16, the output shafts40,38 of the drive motor 14 and hot air system motor 16 are not coaxialor parallel. The output shaft 40 rotates a drive gear 61, which in turnrotates the gear assembly 51, as discussed further below.

The gear assembly 51 as depicted in FIG. 3 comprises a ring gear 511that circumscribes a gear bracket 522. In the depicted embodiment thegear 511 and bracket 522 are integral; they may, for example, be weldedtogether. In at least some different embodiments (not depicted), thegear 511 and bracket 522 may be detachably coupled together, such as byusing clips. The gear bracket 522 comprises a generally cylindrical wallthat has ventilation holes 22. Extending between the wall and thebracket's 522 center are three bracing arms 42. The arms 42 converge ata location that includes an aperture 36 about which the cylindrical wallis rotationally symmetric.

FIG. 4 depicts a sectional view of the lid 3 with the gear assembly 51detachably coupled to the underside of the cover portion 10. Detachablycoupling the assembly 51 to the cover portion 10 permits the assembly 51to be removed, thereby making cleaning of the gear assembly 51 and theair system housing 20 more convenient. The stirrer 5 comprises the gearassembly 51, the stirring paddle 52 (depicted in FIGS. 1, 5, 8, and 9 ),and the positioning rod 53. The positioning rod 53 comprises a shaft 531having a stop block 532 at one end. The shaft 531 is threaded andscrewable into the underside of the cover portion 10 through theapertures 36,34. When the gear assembly 51 is positioned such theaperture 36 in the gear bracket 522 is coaxial with the aperture 34 inthe air system housing 20, and the shaft 531 is subsequently screwedinto and thereby affixed to the cover portion 10, the stop block 532positions and restricts the gear bracket 522 between the stop block 532and the lid 3. The teeth, which are on the outside of the ring gear 511,mesh with the teeth of the drive gear 61, which comprises part of thestirrer drive device 6. Consequently, when the drive motor 14 drives theoutput shaft 40, the drive gear 61 drives the ring gear 511 to rotate,which causes the gear bracket 522 to rotate about the shaft 531 and thestirring paddle 52 to rotate as discussed further below. While the stopblock 532 is used to retain the gear assembly 51 in the depictedembodiment, in at least some different embodiments (not depicted), thegear assembly 51 may be detachably coupled to the lid 3 in a differentmanner. For example, the gear assembly 51 may be detachably coupled tothe lid 3 magnetically, by using clips, or the gear assembly 51 may bethreaded and screwed into the lid 3.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 7 in particular, a disc 28 secured to anunderside of the gear bracket 522 is visible. Extending from anunderside of the disc 28 are gear assembly protrusions 32. The stirringpaddle 52 is placed on the inner pot 4 and similarly shaped paddleprotrusions 30 extend from a top side of the paddle 52. The protrusions30,32 are positioned such that when the gear assembly 51 is secured tothe underside of the lid 3 and the lid 3 is closed, rotation of the gearassembly 51 causes the gear assembly protrusions 32 to rotate, whichconsequently interfere with the paddle protrusions 30 and drive thestirring paddle 52 to rotate and stir. The paddle 52, disc 28, gearassembly 51, and propeller 18 all rotate about the common rotation axis.

The disc 28 in the depicted embodiment is positioned centrally on thegear bracket 522 such that the positioning shaft 531 extends through it;however, in at least some alternative embodiments (not depicted) thedisc 28 may be elsewhere positioned, or may be absent entirely. Forexample, in at least some alternative embodiments, the protrusions 32may extend directly from the underside of the arms 42.

In at least one example alternative embodiment, a structure for thestirring mechanism follows: the stirrer 5 comprises the large gearassembly 51, the stirring paddle 52, and the positioning rod 53. Thegear assembly 51 comprises the ring gear 511 and the gear bracket 522,which can be integrally one piece or two pieces mounted together. Thestirring paddle 52 is detachable from the gear bracket 522. Thepositioning rod 53 passes through the center of the gear bracket 522 andis attached to the lid 3. The gear bracket 522 can rotate about thepositioning rod 53. The gear bracket 522 has ventilation holes. Thestirrer driving device 6 comprises the drive gear 61, which drives thering gear 511 to rotate. The teeth of the ring gear 511 may face towardsor, as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 , away from the gear's511 axis of rotation.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 8 in particular, there are shown a frontperspective view of the apparatus's 100 base 1 and a bottom plan view ofthe stirring paddle 52, respectively. The inner pot 4 is shown sittingin the base 1 in FIG. 6 , and has a groove 24 shaped such that a bottomedge 26 of the paddle 52 fits therein. The groove 24 helps to retain thepaddle 52 in a set location while it is being driven by the stirrerdrive device 6.

While the groove 24 is shown as being in the inner pot 4 with the paddle52 fitting in the groove 24, in at least some alternative embodiments(not depicted) one or more grooves 24 may additionally or alternativelybe in the paddle 52, and a portion of the inner pot 4 or elsewhere inthe base 1, such as a protrusion extending therefrom, may fit in thoseone or more grooves 24. Furthermore, while the bottom edge 26 of thepaddle 52 fits in the groove 24 in the depicted embodiment, in at leastsome alternative embodiments (not depicted) a different portion of thepaddle 52, such as a protrusion extending therefrom, may fit in thegroove 24.

Additionally, while the groove 24 in the depicted embodiment iscircular, in at least some alternative embodiments (not depicted) thegroove 24 may be differently shaped. For example, the protrusions may becylindrical, conical, frusto-conical protrusions, or a combinationthereof; and the corresponding grooves may accordingly be cylindrical,conical, or frusto-conical, or a combination thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 9 , there is shown an exploded view of theapparatus 100, according to another example embodiment. The apparatus100 of FIG. 9 is identical to the apparatus 100 of FIGS. 1-8 , exceptthe base 1 further comprises a housing and an outer pot 7 positionedtherein, and a heating plate 8 between the pots 4,7. The outer pot 7 maybe permanently or detachably coupled to the housing 1. The inner pot 4in the depicted example embodiment sits in the outer pot 7; in at leastsome different embodiments (not depicted), the inner pot 4 may beaffixed to the outer pot 7 in some manner, such as by using a type ofpermanent or detachable coupling. The heating plate 8 is affixed to aninterior of the outer pot 7, and the pot body of the inner pot 4 isplaced on top of the heating plate 8.

In the embodiment of FIG. 9 , cooking may be performed using one or bothof convection (by means of the hot air system 2) and conduction (bymeans of the heating plate 8). Furthermore, while the gear assembly 51is detachably coupled to the lid 3 in the embodiment of FIG. 9 , in atleast some different embodiments, the apparatus 100 may comprise theheating plate 8 and the gear assembly 51 may be permanently attached(e.g., through welding) to the lid 3.

Cooking Modes

Referring now to FIG. 10 , there is depicted another embodiment of theapparatus 100. The embodiment of the apparatus 100 depicted in FIG. 10generally comprises the base 1 and the lid 3, as the embodimentsdepicted in FIGS. 1-9 do, and additionally comprises a user interface1002 as depicted in greater detail in FIG. 11 and a control system 1200as depicted in FIG. 12 . The user interface 1002 and control system 1200permit a user of the apparatus 100 to operate it in any one of severalcooking modes, as discussed further below.

Referring now to FIG. 12 , the control system 1200 comprises a processor1202 that is communicatively coupled to various components comprisingpart of the apparatus 100. As discussed in further detail in respect ofFIG. 11 , below, the processor 1202 exchanges data with the userinterface 1002 in order to receive user input regarding how theapparatus 100 is to operate, and provide the user with information onthe apparatus's 100 current operations. The processor 1202 alsoexchanges data with flash memory 1214 and random access memory (RAM)1216. The flash memory 1214 is an example of non-volatile memory, andstores computer program code that, when executed, causes the processor1202 and consequently the apparatus 100 to operate in any one or more ofthe cooking modes discussed below and to interface with the user via theuser interface 1002. The RAM 1216 is an example of volatile memory, andacts as working memory for the processor 1202 while executing all orsome of that computer program code.

The processor 1202 receives information from three different sensors: anupper thermistor 1204 that is located in the lid 3, a lower thermistor1206 that is located in the base 1, and a lid open sensor 1208 thatdetermines whether the lid 3 is opened or closed. In at least thedepicted example embodiment, the upper thermistor 1204 is positionedwithin the air system housing 20 and the lower thermistor 1206 ispositioned adjacent the heating plate 8; however, in different exampleembodiments (not depicted), the thermistors 1204, 1206 may bedifferently positioned. The upper thermistor 1204 is used to measure thetemperature of the hot air at an upper edge of the propeller 18 and thelower thermistor 1206 is used to measure the temperature inside theinner pot 4. The lid open sensor 1208 comprises a switch located in oneor both of the base 1 and lid 3; for example, in at least one exampleembodiment the lid open sensor 1208 may comprise a Hall Effect sensorlocated in one of the base 1 and lid 3 and a magnet located in the otherof the base 1 and lid 3, with the magnet triggering the Hall Effectsensor when the two are sufficiently proximate (e.g., when the lid 3 isclosed). In at least the depicted example embodiment, the thermistors1204, 1206 are Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) thermistors;however, in at least some different example embodiments, one or both ofthe thermistors 1204, 1206 may be Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC)thermistors. Additionally, the thermistors 1204, 1206 are an exampletype of temperature sensor; in at least some different exampleembodiments (not depicted), one or both of the thermistors 1204, 1206may be replaced with a different type of temperature sensor, such as adiode-based temperature sensor.

The processor 1202 outputs signals to the heating plate 8, drive motor14, and hot air system motor 16, and to a hot air heating element 1210and lighting 1212, in accordance with the apparatus's 100 cooking modeas discussed further below. The hot air heating element 1210 is theheating element that comprises part of the hot air system 2 and that isused to heat the air that the system 2 propels throughout the cookingchamber using the propeller 18. The lighting 1212 comprises a lightsource mounted to an underside of the lid 3 to illuminate the contentsof the cooking chamber. The processor 1202 can individually control theheating plate 8, hot air heating element 1210, hot air system motor 16,and drive motor 14, thereby facilitating flexibility in the apparatus's100 cooking modes as discussed further below. In at least the depictedembodiment the processor 1202 controls the heating plate 8 and the hotair heating element 1210 using a relay, and controls the drive motor 14,hot air system motor 16, and lighting using a silicon controlledrectifier (SCR); in at least some different example embodiments,different switching circuitry may be used.

FIG. 11 shows the apparatus's 100 user interface 1002 in more detail. Onthe right-hand portion are a power button 1120, used to turn theapparatus 100 on and off; a function button 1114, used to change theapparatus's 100 cooking mode; a start button 1116, used to start theapparatus's 100 operation in a particular cooking mode that has beenselected using the function button 1114; and a pause/cancel button 1118.A single press of the pause/cancel button 1118 when the apparatus 100 isoperating in a particular cooking mode pauses any countdown timerassociated with that cooking mode while maintaining the cookingtemperature. Once pressed, to resume the countdown timer the user may doany of the following:

-   1. press the start button 1116;-   2. open and then close the lid 3, which the processor 1202 detects    using the lid open sensor 1208; and-   3. wait for a timeout period, such as two minutes, without pressing    any buttons on the interface 1002 or opening the lid 3.

The pause/cancel button 1118 may also be long-pressed (i.e., pressed andheld for at least a long-press period, such as for two seconds), whichwill end any cooking mode the apparatus 100 is in at the time of thelong-press. “Ending” the cooking mode means that the apparatus's 100countdown timer reduces to zero and the heating plate 8, drive motor 14,hot air system motor 16, and hot air heating element 1210 are shut off.

The user interface 1002 also comprises temperature control buttons 1102used to increase and decrease the temperature of the cooking chamber;duration control buttons 1104 used to increase and decrease cookingduration; cooking mode indicators 1106 indicating which cooking mode theapparatus 100 is currently in; heating status indicators 1108 indicatingwhether one or both of the heating plate 8 and hot air heating element1210 are active; a flip indicator 1110 indicating whether the food inthe cooking chamber should be flipped; and a heat warning indicator 1112indicating whether the apparatus 100 remains potentially dangerouslywarm to the user's touch notwithstanding that cooking may have ended. Inat least the depicted example embodiment, each of the indicators 1106,1108, 1110, 1112 is a binary indicator in the form of a light that canbe turned on or off. In at least some different embodiments (notdepicted), any one or more of the indicators 1106, 1108, 1110, 1112 mayadditionally or alternatively comprise non-binary indicators, such as atext display that displays different text messages.

During cooking, in at least some example embodiments the temperature andduration can be modified by the temperature and duration control buttons1102, 1104 only when the cooking mode has been paused using thepause/cancel button 1118. The user interface 1002 also comprises a lightemitting diode (LED) display 1122, which the processor 1202 uses to sendsimple messages to the user. For example, in at least some exampleembodiments the temperature control buttons 1102 permit the cookingtemperature to be numerically specified by the user (e.g., pushing the“+” button 1102 may increment the current temperature by a set amountsuch as 5 degrees, while pushing the “−” button may analogously decreasethe current temperature); the display 1122 may show the user the currenttemperature he or she has set. In at least some different exampleembodiments, one or both of the sets of temperature and duration controlbuttons 1102,1104 may be different than as depicted in FIG. 11 . Forexample, the temperature control buttons 1102 may alternatively comprisea numeric keypad.

The apparatus 100 is operable in several different cooking modes, withdifferent cooking modes causing the processor 1202 to use the heatingplate 8, drive motor 14, hot air system motor 16, and hot air heatingelement 1210 differently. In at least the depicted example embodiment,the apparatus 100 is operable as a crepe/naan maker (mode 1), amini-oven (mode 2), a grill (mode 3), an air fryer (mode 4), a stirfryer (mode 5), a top broiler (mode 6), a base broiler (mode 7), andmanually (mode 8). The cooking modes are summarized in Table 1:

TABLE 1 Cooking Modes Upper Thermistor Default 1204 Shift Cooking Lower(relative to Time Thermistor lower (excl. 1206 thermistor Preheat pre-Mode Setting 1206) Temp. Output heating) 1 380° F. −140° F. 380° F.Plate 8 15 mins (193° C.) (−60° C.) (193° C.) Hot air system motor 16Heating element 1210 Lighting 1212 2 350° F. −86° F. 350° F. Plate 8 15mins (177° C.) (−30° C.) (177° C.) Hot air system motor 16 Heatingelement 1210 Lighting 1212 3 420° F. −104° F. 420° F. Plate 8 15 mins(216° C.) (−40° C.) (216° C.) Hot air system motor 16 Heating element1210 Lighting 1212 4 400° F. −122° F. 400° F. Plate 8 20 mins (204° C.)(−50° C.) (204° C.) Hot air system motor 16 Heating element 1210Lighting 1212 5 420° F. −95° F. 420° F. Plate 8  5 mins (216° C.) (−35°C.) (216° C.) Drive motor 14 Hot air system motor 16 Heating element1210 Lighting 1212 6 355° F. N/A N/A Heating element 1210 15 mins (179°C.) Hot air system motor 16 Lighting 1212 7 420° F. N/A N/A Plate 8 15mins (216° C.) Hot air system motor 16 Lighting 1212 8 400° F. −104° F.N/A Plate 8 10 mins (204° C.) (−40° C.) Hot air system motor 16 Heatingelement 1210 Lighting 1212

In Table 1, the “lower thermistor 1206 setting” and the “upperthermistor 1204 shift” represent the temperatures at which the apparatus100 cooks food during a cooking mode. More particularly, the “lowerthermistor 1206 setting” is the temperature target for the inner pot 4that the processor 1202 reaches by activating the heating plate 8; andthe “upper thermistor 1204 shift” is the difference in temperature,relative to the lower thermistor 1206 setting, that defines thetemperature target near the propeller 18 that the processor 1202 reachesby activating the hot air heating element 1210. The “preheattemperature” is the temperature target for the cooking chamber that theprocessor 1202 reaches prior to commencing cooking by activating one orboth of the plate 8 and element 1210. The “output” column lists thecomponents of the apparatus 100 that the processor 1202 activates duringthe cooking mode. The “default cooking time” column lists the defaultduration for which cooking occurs during the cooking mode afterpre-heating has concluded.

The parameters set out in Table 1 for the various cooking modes areexamples only, and may be different in at least some different exampleembodiments. For example, pre-heating may end after a set time (e.g., 5minutes), instead of in response to reaching the temperature listed inTable 1. Additionally or alternatively, the default cooking times maychange in different example embodiments, such as by being adjusted bythe user either before or after cooking has started. Additionally, in atleast some example embodiments the “lower thermistor 1206 setting” and“upper thermistor 1204 shift” are approximate values only.

The modes of Table 1 are examples of different cooking modes in whichthe apparatus 100 may operate. More generally, the apparatus 100 maycomprise at least a first and a second cooking mode, with the firstcooking mode having a lower temperature sensor setting of a firsttemperature and an upper temperature sensor setting of a secondtemperature. The second temperature may be less than the firsttemperature, and at least one of the first and second temperatures ofthe first cooking mode is different from the first and secondtemperatures, respectively, of the second cooking mode. When one or bothof the upper and lower temperatures differ from the upper and lowertemperature sensor settings, the processor 1202 may adjust power to thehot air heating element 1210 and heating plate 8, respectively, in orderto cause the upper and lower temperatures to approach the upper andlower temperature settings.

In at least some example embodiments, during heating the processor 1202periodically turns one or both of the plate 8 and element 1210 on andoff until the appropriate target temperature is reached. For example, inat least some example embodiments, when the temperature as measured bythe lower thermistor 1206 is rising, the lid 3 is closed, and the lowerthermistor 1206 measures a temperature less than a certain temperaturedifferential (e.g., 10° C.) less than the appropriate lower thermistor1206 setting in Table 1, then the processor 1202 activates the plate 8constantly at full or partial power until the lower thermistor 1206measures a temperature within the temperature differential of the lowerthermistor 1206 setting. Once the lower thermistor 1206 measures atemperature within the temperature differential of the lower thermistor1206 setting, the processor 1202 shuts off the plate 8 for a shut-offperiod, such as 30 seconds. At the end of the shut-off period, theprocessor 1202 determines whether the lower thermistor 1206 is stillless than the appropriate lower thermistor 1206 setting in Table 1. Ifit is, then the processor 1202 alternates between activating the plate 8for a first duration (e.g., 18 seconds), and shutting it off for asecond duration (e.g., 12 seconds), until the lower thermistor 1206measures a temperature equal to or exceeding the appropriate lowerthermistor 1206 setting.

Additionally or alternatively, during heating when the temperature asmeasured by the lower thermistor 1206 is dropping, the lid 3 is closed,and the lower thermistor 1206 measures a temperature less than andwithin a certain temperature differential of the appropriate lowerthermistor 1206 setting in Table 1, then the processor 1202 alternatesbetween activating the plate 8 for a first duration (e.g., 18 seconds),and shutting it off for a second duration (e.g., 12 seconds). If thetemperature continues to drop until it is more than the temperaturedifferential below the appropriate lower thermistor 1206 setting, thenthe processor 1202 activates the plate 8 constantly at full or partialpower.

Additionally or alternatively, during heating when the lid 3 is open andthe lower thermistor 1206 measures a temperature less than a certaintemperature differential (e.g., 10° C.) below the appropriate lowerthermistor 1206 setting in Table 1, then the processor 1202 activatesthe plate 8 constantly at full or partial power until the lowerthermistor 1206 measures a temperature within the temperaturedifferential of the lower thermistor 1206 setting. Once the lowerthermistor 1206 measures a temperature within the temperaturedifferential of the lower thermistor 1206 setting, the processor 1202alternates between activating the plate 8 for a first duration (e.g., 24seconds) and shutting it off for a second duration (e.g., 6 seconds).

In at least some example embodiments, once the appropriate lowerthermistor 1206 setting has been reached for any of the above examples,the processor 1202 operates the plate 8 in a suitable holding method.For example, the processor 1202 in at least some example embodimentskeeps the plate 8 constantly on at less than full power. In at leastsome different embodiments, the processor 1202 turns the plate 8 on andoff, whether at full power or at less than full power. The processor1202 may turn the plate 8 on and off periodically, and for any givenperiod the durations for which the plate 8 is on and off may beidentical in some example embodiments and different in others.

In at least some example embodiments, in any one or more of the cookingmodes the processor 1202 determines when to activate the flip indicator1110 by determining whether the elapsed cooking time since cooking of adish began using that mode represents at least a threshold percentage ofthe total cooking time set for that dish, the default value for which islisted in the “Default Cooking Time” column of Table 1. The thresholdpercentage may be, for example, 60% of the total set cooking time. Whenthe threshold percentage is reached, the processor 1202 activates theflip indicator 1110.

The processor 1202 deactivates the flip indicator 1110 in response todetecting, using the lid open sensor 1208, that the lid 3 has beenopened and subsequently closed. Additionally or alternatively, in atleast some example embodiments the processor 1202 may deactivate theflip indicator 1110 following pressing of one of the buttons comprisingthe user interface 1002, such as the start button 1116.

In at least some example embodiments, in addition or as an alternativeto the binary flip indicator of FIG. 11 , the flip indicator 1110comprises one or both of a message (e.g., a text message, such as“FLIP”, on the display 1122) and a sound. In at least a subset of thoseembodiments in which the text message is shown with the binaryindicator, the message may automatically disappear after an expiryperiod, while the binary indicator remains on until deactivated asdescribed above.

In at least some example embodiments, in any one or more of the cookingmodes in which the hot air heating element 1210 is by default on, theprocessor 1202 automatically shuts off the hot air heating element 1210in response to a signal from the lid open sensor 1208 that the lid 3 isopen. In at least some example embodiments, the processor 1202 may alsopause the cooking mode when the hot air heating element 1210 is on andthe lid 3 is opened.

In at least some example embodiments, the apparatus 100 furthercomprises a “cooking mode extension” feature in which at or near the endof any of the cooking modes, the user may provide input to the processor1202 via the user interface 1002 that the cooking mode the apparatus 100is current operating in is to be extended, following which the processor1202 automatically extends that cooking mode by a certain duration. Whenextending a cooking mode, any pre-heating that would otherwise occur ifthat cooking mode were to end and then re-start is bypassed, and insteadthe apparatus 100 cooks the food continuously as a result of the cookingmode being extended instead of ending and re-starting. Furthermore, inthe stir fryer cooking mode, the stirrer 5 continues to rotate when thestir fryer cooking mode is extended, as opposed to stopping as wouldoccur if the stir fryer cooking mode were stopped and then re-started.In certain cases this may help prevent food from burning. Any suitableinput via the user interface 1002 may be used as an indicator that thecooking mode is to be extended. For example, in at least one exampleembodiment, the user may push an extension input such as the startbutton 1116 within fifteen seconds of the end of the stir fryer cookingmode, with the fifteen seconds being an example of an “extension window”during which the processor 1202 is receptive to the user extending thecurrent cooking mode. If the extension input is provided during theextension window, the processor 1202 extends the cooking mode by anextension duration. In at least some example embodiments, a cooking modemay be extended multiple times without the cooking mode ending; that is,at or near the end of each extension duration may be an extension windowduring which the user may provide another extension input to againextend the cooking mode.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. Accordingly, asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and“comprising”, when used in this specification, specify the presence ofone or more stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, andcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, andgroups. Directional terms such as “top”, “bottom”, “upwards”,“downwards”, “vertically”, and “laterally” are used in the followingdescription for the purpose of providing relative reference only, andare not intended to suggest any limitations on how any article is to bepositioned during use, or to be mounted in an assembly or relative to anenvironment. Additionally, the term “couple” and variants of it such as“coupled”, “couples”, and “coupling” as used in this description areintended to include indirect and direct connections unless otherwiseindicated. For example, if a first device is coupled to a second device,that coupling may be through a direct connection or through an indirectconnection via other devices and connections. Similarly, if the firstdevice is communicatively coupled to the second device, communicationmay be through a direct connection or through an indirect connection viaother devices and connections. Further, when used in conjunction with anumerical value, the words “approximate” and “approximately” mean within+/−10% of that numerical value, unless the context indicates otherwise.

It is contemplated that any part of any aspect or embodiment discussedin this specification can be implemented or combined with any part ofany other aspect or embodiment discussed in this specification.

One or more example embodiments have been described by way ofillustration only. This description is presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the form disclosed. It will be apparent to persons skilled inthe art that a number of variations and modifications can be madewithout departing from the scope of the claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A cooking apparatus comprising: a basecomprising a heating plate and an inner pot located over the heatingplate such that the inner pot is heated by heat emitted by the heatingplate; a lid closable over the inner pot to form a cooking chamber,wherein the lid comprises a hot air system configured to direct hot airinto the cooking chamber, wherein the hot air system comprises a hot airheating element; an upper temperature sensor located in the lid; a lowertemperature sensor located in the base; a processor, communicativelycoupled to the upper and lower temperature sensors; and memory,communicatively coupled to the processor, storing computer program codethat is executable by the processor and that, when executed by theprocessor, causes the processor to operate in one of multiple cookingmodes, wherein for each of the cooking modes the computer program codecauses the processor to perform a method comprising: measuring an upperand a lower temperature using the upper and the lower temperaturesensor, respectively; comparing the upper and the lower temperature toan upper and a lower temperature sensor setting, respectively; when theupper temperature differs from the upper temperature sensor setting,adjusting power to the hot air heating element such that the uppertemperature approaches the upper temperature sensor setting; and whenthe lower temperature differs from the lower temperature sensor setting,adjusting power to the heating plate such that the lower temperatureapproaches the lower temperature sensor setting.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the hot air system comprises a hot air system motor,and for at least one of the cooking modes the method further comprisesactivating at least one of the motors.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,further comprising a flip indicator, wherein at least one of the cookingmodes is associated with a total cooking time, and wherein the methodfurther comprises, for each of at least some of the cooking modesassociated with the total cooking time: monitoring elapsed cooking timeduring the cooking mode; comparing the elapsed cooking time to the totalcooking time; and when the elapsed cooking time is at least a thresholdpercentage of the total cooking time, activating the flip indicator. 4.The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a lid open sensorconfigured to detect whether the lid is opened or closed, and whereinthe method further comprises, for each of at least some of the cookingmodes associated with the total cooking time, deactivating the flipindicator in response to the lid being opened.
 5. The apparatus of claim1, further comprising a user interface communicatively coupled to theprocessor and wherein the method further comprises receiving, via theuser interface, a numerically specified temperature for at least one ofthe upper and lower temperature sensor settings.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 5, wherein the method further comprises receiving a signal via theuser interface to pause cooking during one of the cooking modes, andwherein the numerically specified temperature is received while cookingis paused.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the method furthercomprises receiving a signal via the user interface to pause cookingduring one of the cooking modes, and wherein the numerically specifiedtemperature is received while cooking is paused.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a user interface communicatively coupled tothe processor and wherein the method further comprises, when theapparatus is operating in one of the cooking modes: receiving, via theuser interface, within an extension window extending from an end of thecooking mode, an extension input indicating that the cooking mode is tobe extended; and in response to the extension input, extending thecooking mode by an extension duration without ending the cooking mode.